6 In this you ^mrejoice, though now ⁿfor a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the ^otested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the ^prevelation of Jesus Christ. 8 ^qThough you have not seen him, you love him. ^rThough you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

18 ^wServants, ^xbe subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.¹ 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while ^ysuffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, ^zwhen you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because ^aChrist also suffered for you, leaving you an ^bexample, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 ^cHe committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 ^dWhen he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but ^econtinued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 ^fHe himself bore our sins in his body on the ^gtree, that we might ^hdie to sin and ⁱlive to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were ^jstraying like sheep, but have now returned to the ^kShepherd and Overseer of your souls.

13 Now ^fwho is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be ^gblessed. ^hHave no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ⁱalways being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, ^jso that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than ^kfor doing evil.

18 For ^lChrist also suffered¹ once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, ^mthat he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 ⁿin which² he went and proclaimed³ to the spirits in prison, 20 because⁴ they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, ^owhile the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 ^pBaptism, which corresponds to this, ^qnow saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the ^rright hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to ^ltest you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But ^mrejoice insofar as you ⁿshare Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are ^oinsulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the ^pSpirit of glory¹ and of God rests upon you. 15 ^qBut let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone ^rsuffers as a ^sChristian, let him not be ^tashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment ^uto begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for ^vthose who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will ^xentrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.